In recent weeks there’s been a lot of talk in these parts about Kings Of Leon’s “Sex On Fire” and accompanying inexplicable video along with the Followill’s good looks and the album art’s two looks. Blow-dried hair and anxious riffs on venereal diseases (right?) do not a record make, so we decided to move beyond first impressions and to give the Tennessee boys’ heavier, darker fourth album Only By The Night a thorough listen. Note: As part of our Kings Of Leon immersion, we also watched this recently posted “Sex On Fire” behind-the-scenes clip, which proves the video was just as inexplicable to the Kings. Somehow this is not surprising.
The album opener is a slower, spacier, heartfelt, sluggish, never-ending, atmospheric track called “Closer.” But it’s closer, as in — moving closer to something — as opposed to someone or something finishing something up. This makes sense because the song never ends. The next track’s “Crawl,” maybe the most fuzzed-out song on the collection. It’s interesting that it was released as the teaser prior to the more representative “Sex On Fire.” Maybe they wanted to give they idea that this was a straight-up guitar-rock album? Or perhaps in this election year, they decided to rile us up with lyrics like “The reds and the whites and abused / The crucified USA / I said the prophecy unfolds / Oh hell is truly on its way.” But we don’t know what that means. As in Only By The Night‘s marketing plan, “Crawl’s” followed on the album proper by the much debated “Sex On Fire.” From there we move into entirely new territory.
The opening surge of “Use Somebody” sounds like M83 — until Caleb comes in with much urgency. This is one of the better songs, likely because it again goes back to that windy M83 upswing, giving us a break from Caleb’s urgency. Most of the other tracks feel more insular — this is one that people would reference as “good driving music” (if you liked KoL). It’s followed by “Manhattan,” which has a catchy bass line and shitty lyrics. It’s also about one break, many lyrics, and one minute too long.
Speaking of lyrics, the following ballad “Reverly,” a quiet song accented with electronic drums and some distant atmospheric noises that feels much longer than its three minutes, opens like this: “What a night for a dance, you know I’m a dancing machine / With the fire in my bones / and the sweet taste of kerosene.” From there “17″ remakes Winger’s “17.” We think.
As much as maybe we’re not feeling this record, there are pretty accents, like the guitar/piano overlay in “Notion” or the noisy exit of “Cold Desert.” (There’s nothing redeeming about the bottled blues of “I Want You.”) But these are tiny specks in an otherwise lame whole. It’s kinda like Blues Traveler performed by younger, more attractive dudes who’ve discovered the electronics Black Heart Procession used a decade ago. Which is cool, if you’re into that sort of thing, England.
Only By The Night is out 9/22 in the UK and 9/23 in the States via RCA.
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Thanks, Pitchfork.
because of the times was one of the better records of last year. i’ve only listened to this new one twice but i don’t think it’s as bad as stereogum is making it out to be.
I completely disagree. I have heard this record and it’s their strongest effort yet. “Use Somebody” and “Be Somebody” are both lighter anthems (with strangely similar titles). The closing song is beautiful. I am really excited this band is growning into their sound.
I have been a die hard KOL fan since day one. I was hooked by their southern grit and energy. I can’t fault their progression…up to this album. its lazy and formulated which, if you like mediocre regurgitated pop rock is fine. They have ‘progressed’ in so much as Calebs voice is outstanding in this album and they have figured out the perfect cocktail of digestible anthem riffs and ordinary lyrics to suck in the masses. This album will be huge and probably saturating tv commercials, rom coms, etc etc So fair play to them, it’ll be a big earner and put them on the map globally, especially in america which I think was the real goal here.
Its not all bad but those who think this album is a move forward artistically obviously has a very deep understanding of music, no offence intended. There marketing has progressed thats for sure.
To be fair this album was thrown together in a month after touring. Only by The NIght will take the momentum of a great tour and break records I’m sure. I wish the lads luck.
Maybe now they have established themselves as stadium filling headliners they can get back to doing what they do best….growing beards and writing distinctive and original non conforming rock tracks.
P
I agree with you. I am a 57 year old woman who has had favourites over the years( By the way I’m English). Beatles, U2, Police even, all did the same. I loved their earlier works but they all ended up trying too hard. KOL have tried to be someone else on this album but WHY? They are equally as good as U2, Queens of the Stone Age, Led Zep, to my mind better. If it works don’t fix it. I loved it when Calebs voice was rawer. There were so many textures to it. Never better than Day Old Blues. I realise there is a “Growing Up Process” but they must realise there is a happy medium. Do you think its because they all have WOMEN now?
usually stereogum’s reviews are spot on. For this album however, you guys couldnt be more wrong. Sex on fire, and Closer are two standout tracks on the album. I am loving this record. What is wrong with you Stereogum?
Compare recent other PE’s (like the one from Of Montreal for example) with this one (In quality, in length.. whatever…). This text looks like something which was written for attracting more readers with google or to anger up people here, so that they’re visiting the page more often. I’ve got nothing against bad reviews for albums, but please do they more serious in the future.
i am with you. the album is pretty much a throw away.
Wow, you guys pulled some punches with this one. I’m all for evolution, but at when it comes to losing touch of who you are and where your roots are. That said, KOL needs a road map.
Prior to hearing the whole album I was sold on crawl. Sex on Fire seemed the necessary radio hit on this one, and was not impressive. Turns out it’s the second best song on the album.
Maudlin lyrics that call to mind everything that is horrible about pop rock radio today; an over-experimentation with noise…and then there is the blow-dried hair.
Call it conspiracy theory or whatever, but I like to think about the album they did make, and where in the vaults of a record company it now lies. Everything about OBTN screams “We rushed this sucka out. Come see us play and make us big in America.” Oh to take the other fork in the road.
I looked forward to this album with much anticipation but….. Will it get better? Don’t know. I do know I played it again today– this time in the car and it’s not any better driving — and when I got to Manhattan I had to pull it out and throw in Aha and searched for what worked about that album vs OBTN. I haven’t found it yet.
I don’t hate Kings of Leon, I think they have some good rock songs. This album is uninspired and trite. Mediocre at best. They could’ve done better.
this site hates every album pretty much
Sounds like people are finally waking up to the fact that Kings of Leon are incredibly overrated.
see them in concert……I wasn’t sold on them but their shows really are a fucking blast.
I don’t think they’re overrated. Definitely not in the U.S. anyway. I’ve only listened to this once so far and it doesn’t strike me as being as good as Aha but on par the last album for sure. I hoped for better but I don’t think it’s a complete throwaway.
Where’s the Dear Science, evaluation?
@ Buns (I can’t believe I just typed that)
If you want to go see a band stand still and play their songs just like they sound on the album, you will love kings of leon in concert. I agree with pitchgum, let England have this medicore stadium rock band.
as a die hard KOL fan, i can confidently say that this album is pretty weak. but stereogum, you’re being kind of a jerkstore. we get that you’re not into the band, so why did you waste a premature evaluation on them (especially one with multiple song title mistakes)? so pitchforky of you. mean spirited commentary is best left to the comments section. try and maintain a little integrity s-gum.
why not review the streets or tv on the radio? both great albums.
hey uh stereogum called and they’re uhh out of you (?)
Stereogum is just trying to impress us. Hey man we still like you. No reason to bash on a decent album just to show off.
Huh, Stereogum doesn’t like KOL? Had no idea. Why don’t we stick to bands like Okkervil River and articles about gay albums or whatever. Yep, don’t get too carried away with ourselves. OBTN is a great disc for anyone looking for melodic music with hooks. Otherwise, stay away.
Wow. One of the most poorly written reviews I’ve ever read.
It’s a pretty good album, but this review is just……ahh fuck it…I like the album…this person doesn’t …who the fuck cares?
note to reviewer: write something that doesn’t read like a LiveJournal entry.
i am a KoL fan..seen them many times..and i liked the first three albums.
this one blows. i am bummed about it but the fact remains!
the first three songs are good enough and the rest is utter crap.
Dear Stereogum,
How can you be so dismissive of the obvious lack of talent of Kings of Leon? Their music is one of the few pleasures of the simplest of men in their meaningless lives. You have a lot of nerve telling people the truth.
Dear MF McNutt,
You are just like every other indie snob in this god-forsaken blog world. I am sure that you are a such complex person who spits down at music for “simple men”. You’ve probably never even been laid because you never shut up about how “meaningful” Grizzly Bear’s music is. Maybe if you weren’t too busy “McNutt-ing” all over the newest Sigur Ros album cover you could realize that you are a moron who has zero talent either.
Whoa… I struck a nerve. Sorry jop.
Unfortunately there will be a Warrant, a Bush, a Creed and a Kings of Leon for every generation. Give me real, don’t give me fake. Do you honestly not see Kings of Leon for their faux rock posturing, vacant toothless lyrics and general lack of creativity? Why bother with such a vapid subpar unintelligent retread when you can have exceptional for the same price.
Kings of Leon opened for Radiohead on the second day of All Points West. Thom Yorke’s comment on KOL was “if we were as good looking as them we would be famous”. This band is not all that different than a group like Maroon 5 or the Jonas Brothers, just in a different flavor and sans professional songwriters that they could desperately use.
Feel free to stop by my Times Square office. I’ll burn you some great music and I’ll gladly show you the illustration and design work I’ve done for Nike, MTV, Pepsi, etc…
Thanks and have a good day ?
normally I agree with you guys but this time I feel like the review was a bit over the top.
It was esoteric and reviewed in an indie vacuum.
Also what’s up with the Rorshach cockfight on the album cover? While not visually offensive it seems odd and the Radioheadesque use of the typeface Alpha is incongruent with their sound. Record label ? Give these seriously rockin’ dudes a nice serif typeface!
I don’t have a problem with negative reviews, but I have a problem when they appear to be written by a bored teenager with a short attention span.
Incidentally, this really is their weakest album yet.
this review was totally written to provoke arguments/disagreements. The writer clearly doesn’t like kol, for whatever reason, and hasn’t even bothered to listen to the album with an open mind. They had basically written the review before even hearing the album.
everyone here is for some reason,ceaselessly angry.
even the best bands make crap albums,im personally a huge lover of their last record so I doubt this one would be able to top that.
pretty average review – so the lyrics are bad, that’s hardly unexpected with KOL.
I like it – the tunes are great, his voice is great, the band play great hooks & the bass player is awesome. Certainly they’re at the low brow end of smart music, but sometimes don’t you just want a good band you can sing along to?
sure, i love a good band that doesn’t write worldchanging lyrics and is totally dancey. that would be KoL for the first three albums. the middle of this album though is mediocre dawson’s creek semi-ballads with some a hint of KoL swagger.
To compare this album to a dawson’s creek soundtrack is just stupid. I’m all for critiquing albums, but simply referencing MOR bands is pointless. Make a point or don’t bother posting.
sorry… we bit harsh. To read a review that doesn’t rely on MOR comparisons: http://uncut.co.uk/music/kings_of_leon/reviews/12165
I like “I Want You”. I’m still feeling out the album myself but I think overall it’s pretty good. Not as good as Because of the Times, but still good. They better be careful naming all of their albums as prepositional phrases or they are going to turn into the music version of Jon Krakauer.
How have all of you heard it already? You guys aren’t stealing are you?
Because of the Times was really good, does that make me some type of a fag?
this is their worst album by miles….very very bad……jumping the shark.
i hate KOL, but you know what i hate more? these absolutely worthless PEs. SG writers have horrible taste and are even worse scribes. please everyone, stop reading stereogum, so they learn a lesson and step up their game. or quit the game. this is seriously not worth my time…never is. i quit.
i’ve never heard kings of leon; they probably do suck pretty bad.
that said, im pretty certain that stereogum posts certain things in order to get lots and lots of comments on their page.
but thats honestly the only reason i read stereogum anyway — for the comments.
somebody hit it.
I always felt like stereogum liked almost everything. This review gave me faith that they weren’t totally limp. KOL has made a strong effort to join the latest maroon 5 tour with this one. It’s embarrassing. unless you like Maroon 5 and 3 doors down and Matchbox 20. If that’s the case, this cheesy ode to the Top Gun soundtrack is perfect.
the earler comment about dawsons creek ballads is spot on.
why do people get so mad at a website for posting an opinion? that’s their job.
I gurantee you every one leaving comments has not heard the whole album and are just blindly agreeing with Stereogum. And the comparison to Marroon 5 and Matchbox 20 are so off base its ridiculous.
i heard the whole album. It’s as god awful and cheesy as that enrique inglesias video they made for sex on fire. and again, “sex on fire”? really?
i don’t really think they sound exactly like matchbox 20 or maroon 5 but thier new cd fits nicely next to those on the shelf. They are jumping into that kind of rotation is all. Good for them. They wanna make money.
I was playing this in the car the other day, disgusted. My girl said, “this sounds like an 80′s song that should be in Cocktail or something. why are you listening to this? ” spot on.
I love Youth & Young Manhood and Aha Shake Heartbreak is pretty good. Everything since then is poop in my opinion. This sounds nothing like the band on their first album, which is a shame, because that was really good stuff.
Use Somebody is an excellent track but the rest is kinda blah. I understand trying to reinvent yourself and trying to grow musically, but does than mean you can’t rock out? I haven’t heard a rock song yet!
When you right a song like Trani right off the bat, its gonna be hard to top it your whole career.
The author brings too much predetermined bias into this review. KOL has produced good music. This album is the weakest one they’ve put out. But even so, there are some pleasant moments on it. Stereogum, I expect better from you.
my previous post was true, but after listening to this at work today, yeah i kind of agree. there’s no guitar freakouts, reverb is practically a fifth instrument, and at least three songs sound exactly the same. so yeah, even though you guys were assholes.
i dont want to give up on OBTN, Sex on Fire and Use Somebody are great, 17 is amusing, but the rest hasn’t really caught on. i remember it taking a few spins to warm up to many of the tracks on BOTT, but i dont really see that happening with this record. pretty weak and disappointing.
WTF, I can’t dance to this!!!!!!!!
I heard KoL a long time ago when Holy Roller Novocaine came out, Youth and Young Manhood, i believe is the title of that album. Not bad, but not great. However, i was then BLOWN away by Aha! Shake Heartbreak – what an amazing collection of hyper speed, dirty, sweaty, bluesy sex music. absolutely loved it. Then Because of the Times came out and initially i was not a big fan, but it really grew on me – i appreciated the bands maturity. i have now listened to Only By Night three times and have some up with one conclusion: it blows. Spot on Stereogum. I think the boys need to stop worrying about their adoring British fans and focus more on the grimy, dirty swagger reminiscent of Aha Shake.
Wow… they sure embraced their inner Nickeleon on this album. “Sex On Fire” is one of the dumbest songs ever written, with a pointless video to match, and their utterly predictable formula for the record shows itself in space with “Use Somebody” and “Be Somebody.” It’s Nickelback for indie kids. Sure, their sound has changed over time, but they aren’t getting any better, just different. That means they don’t have a sound of their own. They’re a patchwork of dick and whore anecdotes and stage posturing. Don’t kid yourself into thinking this music will last. It’s bubblegum, not the Beatles.
does anyone else hear Creed when they listen to this album? If you were to replace his voice (keep the melodies) with the lead singer of Creed, it would fully be a Creed album. wow.
not at all. Although i don’t like KOL, these comparisons to Nickleback, Creed, and other cock rock groups is fucking retarded. Its not even close to that shit.
i don’t know who’s getting it worse here, Kings of Leon or Stereogum.
I actually think this album is a good thing for KOL. This album allows the group to go beyond the boundaries of sound that has characterized them. The fact that they use electronic instruments is great because it is an example of the groups creativity. we have seen them play what they play, and we already know they are good at that (so why would we want a boring repeat). After this album they will be able to play much more music like they want, instead of what they are expected to play.
…yeah. A rock band using electronics in order to grow musically is really creative.
It is for a southern rock group. Many bands are afraid to use electronics in their music because they think their fans will think they’re selling out. But KOL don’t mind trying new things. And the way the synthesizers are used aren’t in bad taste. A lot of their contemporaries have already been forgotten because their sound doesn’t change a bit, so KOL deserve credit.
Yea, I really thought I was reading pitchfork. Stereogum = not indie anymore.
Appauling review, a very strong album and grower, gonna be great live. Full review
http://mjsmusicalmuse.blogspot.com/
I have heard the album and think it is amazing. While it is not as breathtacking as Because of the Time that was always going to be near impossible, being one of if not the album of the year. It is great to know that we have a band who can bring out such consistently great albums.
Was Because of the times Breathtacking? I’ve never heard it. But it sounds tacky, the type of tacky that would take your breath away.
I actually really dig what I’ve heard so far. Stoked to see them & The Whigs rock Webster Hall next week for the album release show.
another random pissy comment about how much stereogum sucks and how people need to give kol a chance. seriously, the album is just not that great. it’s average at best. average.
I’m sorry. I like this band. This album is pretty good, especially Use Somebody rocks. Hard. Sorry, indie snobs.
it’s about time you stopped replicating everything pitchfork says, posts, voices. It’s getting a little tedious now, go back to being a bit more individual…
This negative take on the record seems very much forced.
you should learn how to read timestamps, jamie milton.
LOL… my bad… totally thought i was still on the TVOTR album review. hahaha… i’ve never even heard a Kings of Leon album. Caught them opening for someone once tho and they were totally boring…
i don’t think it’s as outright horrible as the majority are making it out to be. nor do i think it’s as “best thing they’ve ever done!” as the minority seems to be claiming all over the music news. as someone who has rooted for them from the beginning (aka someone who truly WANTS them to succeed), i must admit: i do find this effort to be disappointing. outside of the two or three songs that everyone seems to agree are the better ones, it’s all pretty much… boring. i agree with the “new”-2 sentiment. they seem to be coping Bono and Company’s arena ready feel, while aiming for the fences – which, as far as the latter goes, isn’t a bad thing – but the trouble is that they are barely getting to 2nd base with this LP. i love this band, but they CAN do better than this. this isn’t a “dark” record – it’s just… it’s like they’ve smothered their restless and reckless fun in a thick goo of M.O.R. (all while trying to make a statement without saying much at all.) there is nothing wrong with evolving as a band – but you can’t completely reject what works for you. even the real U2 knew this. but yeah… file this next to the last My Morning Jacket record. a few golden moments, but mostly a lot of awkward ones from trying too hard. there is nothing wrong with being “Kings of Leon”. the sooner they realize this, the easier it will be for them to move forward for real. hope they consider it a life lesson.
whoaaa… seriously I have never seen such a low score on pitchfork, they gave it like 3.4… yikes!!!!! Even the new metallica got better score. I am morbidly curious and wonder if so many bad reviews are accurate. Haven’t even seen the Sex on Fire video, either.
I think Aha Shake Heartbreak had some good tunes in it, but Because of the Times was a total let down. Not surprise this album is getting worse reception.
The new album is a huge disappointment. Songs like “I Want You” and “Notion” are humiliating for KOL. They have lost all authenticity and credibility. The core of their sound has been stripped away for generic, bland corporate rock. I thought KOL was committed to serious and original music and thought someday their name would be mentioned up there with the greats like Led Zeppelin. Instead, they are trying to be the next Goo Goo Dolls which is tragic. I am devastated by KOL’s sell out.
I’m pretty much indifferent to KOL, but I have to say, the last line of that review made me LOL.
Oh man, Stereogum. You cannot write quality music journalism to save your life. Do a service to the industry and stop trying.Seriously, just stop.
Love the new album but I’m not going to get all pissy with you stereogum, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Put me in the KoL camp. You can take issue with it if you want, but this album will blow them up. This is straight ahead arena rock. As one review mentioned, you’re going to hear them mentioned in the same breath as U2 and Coldplay. I know for some of you that’s not a good thing, but mark my words, they’re going to be huge after this. Great album.
Im sorry, but i’d much rather go to a KOL concert than a Panda Bear concert. Does that make me a phillistine? If it does, then great. Why do indie kids hate so much?
Ohh, get it it`s cool to hate the kings! Personally i dont hate them, and i think this album is wicked! Closer is one of the greatets songs i ever.. This is not indie, and thank the lord for that. Fuck indie, stupid people running around with big artsy glasses on and shit like that.. Indie people lack taste.. Only by the night is heartfelt and beautiful album.. love bruce springsteen to and i think kings of leon do to… So fuck off indie shitheads get a life. youre just trying to hard to be so fucking cool.. This album has a kitch 1990 sound love it… this is the new shit whether you like or not…,!!
I can’t believe how blind the people on the other side of the pond can be. These guys are the best thing to come out of the States for years. They will be referred to as one of the best rock bands of all time in years to come and become a cult band. You’ll be 45, your kids will be asking ‘did you ever see teh KoL live?’ and you’ll be saying ‘yes son and they were amazing’, lying through your teeth to your loved ones and wishing you had more sense in 2008. I saw them live in January headlining a festival in Australia and they sent chills down my spine. Devoted ever since.
I have actually seen KOL live twice before this album and I thought both times they put on great shows. I have listened to the album several times now and I just dont like it. Some people have pointed out the “arena rock” feel that is and that is precisely what I dont like. Call it selling out or whatever you want but when bands start becoming a blip on the radar record labels and other outside forces start having a hand in the music. I wouldnt say my taste in music is Indie by any means since I really dont care for band like Panda Bear and other indie darlings in fact I just dont get the appeal. What I can say is that most of the stuff I hear on the radio is crap. Most of it is studio music that sounds horrilble live and has terrible lyrics. I have the same feeling as most that this album will put KOL on a national stage and congrats for to them for being successful. I have already heard “sex on fire” on my local clear channel alt rock station so I guess immersion into the maistream world has already begun. I thought it was funny to hear the chessy DJ with the goofy name (porkchop) talk about this “tasty new single from an up and coming band”. I wonder how many Kings albums he owns??? I just hope they dont start touring with bands like Breaking Benjamin or HInder or Buckcherry. It is possible to be elavated to a higher level on the food chain without compromising your indentity…..its just really tough when you know you can make tons of money playing formulated arena rock for the masses.
hi
I am tired of all the negative reviews that Kings of Leon get, they are one of the better rock bands out there. I am not sure what the “ind webi” scene has against them., I think this album (and the rest of the them) are awesome.
I like what I’ve heard so far
at church camp Nathan Followill would cherry-pick on the basketball court. which means he never bothered to play defense. i know because i was there. he’s still lame. he also can’t drum. just saying. yeah.
I don’t ever take reviews seriously when they can’t even get the track names correct.
Revelry, not Reverly.
Fucking Twats.
So….. I listened to the new KOL album. WOW! was i dissapointed. I have been a huge fan since they started, and note…..Because of The Times was good but not as good as Aha Shake and Youth. THat being said….people lets face it sometimes bands lose their way. Im sure theyre even telling themselves”damn this album sucks.” I was really eager to hear it. I agree with some people it sounds lazy. Yes theres only 3 good tracks. Lets get over it. They bombed it. They will realize it. Im a little mad though because i got tickets to their LA concert. Now i know the concert is gonna be full of young stupid kids wearing their emo outfits.KOL was the grown ups band. Dirty southern rock. But i guess they got like Caleb would say “Sooooooft!”